Record changer spindle



June 29, 1965 .1. E. VISTAIN, JR

RECORD CHANGER SPINDLE Original Filed March 30, 1951 IN V E N TOR. zazzz (/17 III/III/IIIIIIIIIIIIA !IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII) I 1,4 11/111,.VIIIIIIIIII/ 11,111,. 'IIIIIIIII W I'rIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIA7111111111!!! United States Patent 3,191,940 RECORD CHANGER SPINDLEJames E. Vistain, In, Skokie, 11]., assignor to Admiral Corporation,Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Continuation of applicationSer. No. 218,493, Mar. 30, 1951. This application June 20, 1960, Ser.No. 50,989 3 Claims. (Cl. 274--) This application is a continuation ofSerial No. 218,493, filed March 30, 1951, now abandoned.

This invention relates to spindles for an automatic record player, thespindle being of the type in which support for a stack of records isprovided by an offset between an upper pilot portion and a base portion,the latter having a shoulder thereon engaged by the lowermost of therecords. More especially, the invention relates to improvements in aspindle of the foregoing description by means of which only thelowermost record may be .re-'

moved from the shoulder by mechanism in the spindle itself in responseto operation of suitable operating mechanism, actuated when a record isrejected.

Although record changer spindles having ejector or push-off mechanismsas a part of their structures are known to the prior art, theirmechanisms are complicated and consequently expensive. By the presentinvention, a satisfactory yet novel record changer spindle has beenproduced which is of simplified construction and therefore available ata cost lower than spindles of this class as previously constructed.

For a further and better understanding of the invention besides onemanner in which it may be carried out, reference may be had to theaccompanying drawings in which: 1

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevati-onal view of a spindle in which theinvention is incorporated;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of the same, the spindle having been turnedthrough aquarter turn and bearing a plurality of records;

FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2, parts being. broken away toreveal the structure of other parts some;

of which are in different positions;

FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, parts being shown in a thirdposition;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 of FIG. 3.

In FIG. 1 the reference character 1 is used to denote, in its entirety,a record changer spindle. In includes a base portion 2, the lower-end ofwhich, although not shown, is adapted to extend through a conventionalturn-- table of a record player and is rigidly supported by any suitablemeans therebelow. A-bovethe base portion 2, the spindle includes a pilotportion 3 in ofiset relation to the base portion 2, a shoulder 4 beingthereby provided on which records R are adapted to rest while theircenter 7 holes are threaded over the pilot portion, The pilot portion 3and shoulder 4 therefore provide magazine means where a stack of recordsare retained above the level of the turntable to which one record at atime is released from the magazine until the supply of unplayed recordsis exhausted. This is effected by means to be described Patented June29,- 1965 Ice Since the clearance region is of narrower dimension thanthe remainder of the spindle/the records above the bottom are retainedagainst lateral displacement by additional means. This means includes avertically extending kerf 7 in which a gate member 8 is slidablyanchored by a pin 9, fixed to the pilot portion 3 and passing freelythrough a slot 11 longitudinally of the gate member 8. Normally, thegate member 8 is adapted to occupy the position shown. In this position,its lower end is in a horizontal plane spaced by less than the thicknessof two records and more than the thickness of one record from thehorizontal plane in which the shoulder 4 lies; Therefore, it will beapparent that the records above the bottom record, i.e., the recordengaging the shoulder 4, are held against sub-' st-antial' displacementin a direction normal to the pilot portion 3. This construction issimilar to that shown and described in US. Patent No. 2,498,333, issuedto W. J. Faulkner on February 21, 1950.

' For dislodging a record from the'shoulder 4, novel adapted to move acenter nod, such as this, is disclosed in my co-pending application,Ser. No. 99,191 filed June 18, 1949. Normally, the rod 12 will occupy .alower position (FIG. 2) being urged to this position by gravity or byspring pressure.

The operating member 12 is adapted to cooperate with.

an ejector member or lever 14 above said operating member. The lever 14is disposed in a slot 16 which is a continuation of the ke-rf 7extending into the bore 13. Below the shoulder 4 for a short distance toa back portion 17, the slot 16 completely divides the base portion 2diametrically thereof. The purpose of the division of spindle 2 abovethe back wall 17 is toafford clearance for movement of a lateralextension or ejector portion 1 18 at the upper end of the ejector member14. Interand also passes through the slot 21.

\ tion, indicated in FIG. 3. Therein, the ejector portion 18 mediate itsends, member 14 includes an anchorate portion 19 which is apertured by aslot 21 extending in a substantially longitudinal direction in saidmember. A pivot pinZZ fixed to the base portion 2 bridges the slot 16The lever 14 is thereby adapted to be moved longitudinally over the pin22 and also to be swung about said pin within limits later to beindicated. Briefly, the lever 14 is flca'tingly associated with thestationary portions of the spindle.

While in its normal position (FIG. 2), i.e., the position which itoccupies while a record is being reproduced, the upperend of lever 14 isslightly below the level of the shoulder 4 and consequently spaced fromthe lowermost of the records magazined on the pilot portion 3. While inthis position, the lever 14 may be suspended on the pin 22. At the sametime, its ejector portion 18 is biased counterclockwise of the pin 22 bya leaf spring 23, fixed to the upper end of the lever 14, which isdeflected by its engagement with the back wall 17, against which saidspring is adapted to slide during longitudinal movement of the ejectormember. The spring 23 is therefore responsible for a backward orretracted, normal position for the ejector portion 18' wherein it'isimmediately below the center hole of. the lowermost of the records R. Asan assistance to preserve equilibrium of this position gages the backwall 17.

From its normal position, shown in FIG. 2, the lever 14 is adapted to bemoved to a second or upper posiis readily received in the center hole ofthe lowermost of the records R, although said ejector portion does notreach a horizontal plane quite as high as the record next above thebottommost record. Following its entry into the center hole of thebottom record, the lever 14 is swung clockwise about the pivot pin 22during which operation the ejector portion 13 is moved to the right(FIG. 4) at least to a position flush with the right side of the baseportion 2 at the shoulder 4. This carries the lowermost record to theright to such an extent that the center hole thereof passes over theedge of the shoulder 4 and the record loses its support and is guideddownward by the base portion 2.

The means responsible for the last two steps of movement of lever 14 arethese: From the abutment portion 24, the lever 14 tapers to a bluntpoint or follower portion 26, thereby providing a cam surface 27 at theright side of said lever. The rod 12 has at its upper end a cam 28defined by a plane which slants downward to another cam 29 defined by aplanar surface inclined considerably more than the inclination of thecam 28. On upward movement of the cam carrier 12, the lever 14 is movedupward thereby because of cooperation between the cam 28 with thefollower portion 26 until the lower end of slot 21 engages the pin 22,at the uppermost position of the lever. Until it reaches its uppermostposition, the force of spring 23 is adequate to maintain engagementbetween the tip 26 and the cam 28. Because the upward movement of rod 12is continuous, however, after the lever reaches its extreme upperposition, the resistance of spring 23 is overcome by cam 28, theinclination of which is adequate to shift the point 26 therefrom so thatfor the remainder of the upward stroke of rod 12 cam 29 slides againstthe surface 27 to rock the lever to its ejecting position. At thatposition, the rocking movement of lever 14 may be resisted by engagementof a stop lug 31 thereon with the back portion 17.

As the lowermost record is displaced adequately, as explained, for itsrelease from the shoulder 5, the remaining records drop downward to besupported by the ejector head 18. They are concurrently held againstedgewise displacement by the gate member 3. Following these operations,the rod 12 is moved downward in accordance with the remainder of itscyclical operation. During the latter step the cams 27 and 29 remainengaged until the remaining records have been lowered to the support ofshoulder 4. Once the load of the records has been so transferred, thespring 23 swings the lever 14 backward again, and slight downwardmovement thereof may be made to its FIG. 2 position.

In the process of ejecting a record from the shoulder 4 variations inthe operating speed of lever 14 are noteworthy. For example, from itsnormal position the ejector portion 18 is moved quickly to the upperposition (FIG. 3) substantially at the speed of the rod 12. Then bycooperation of the earns 27 and 29 the ejector portion is carriedlaterally at a reduced speed. Then, in keeping with the remainder of thecyclic motion of rod 12, the remaining records are lowered at the speedof said rod to the support of shoulder 4. This last operation oflowering the records may be at a rate which is rapid enough to affordeconomy in time in the course of a record changing cycle yet slow enoughto deposit the records on the shoulder without a shock which would bedetrimental to the records, or production of noise of impact with theshoulder 4. During the short period in which the remain ing records arecarried by the lever 14, it is completely shrouded by the base portion2, with the exception of the ejector portion 18 extending above theshoulder 4 (FIG. 4), since the force of spring 23 is inadequate to movethe lever out from under even a single record. Immediately followingejection of a final record from the shoulder 4, however, in the courseof a cycle, the spring rocks the lever to its FIG. 3 position afterwhich it is free to be moved downward by gravity as rod 12 finishes itscycle of motion.

Although the invention has been described in one embodiment thereof, Iam aware that numerous and extensive departures may be made therefromwithout departing from the spirit or scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A record changer assembly for use with disk records having centralopenings therethrough, comprising: a post having a record supportingshoulder and a longitudinally extending passageway therein below saidshoulder, an ejector lever located within said passageway, pivot meansincluding a pivot pin fixed to said post and extending across saidpassageway for pivotally supporting said ejector lever for pivotalmovement about said pin and for limited longitudinal movement withinsaid passageway, said ejector lever having a first cam surface extendingbelow said pivot pin, an operator element located in said passageway andadapted for longitudinal movement therein and having a second camsurface engaging said first cam surface, one of said cam surfaceseffecting pivotal movement of said ejector lever upon relativelongitudinal movement of said operator with respect to said lever,spring means independent of and out of contact with said operatoraffixed to said ejector lever at a point above said pivot pin andoperably engaging said lever and the inner wall of said passage forapplying a biasing pivotal force to said ejector lever about said pin inthe direction opposite to the pivotal force on said lever due to theaction of said cam surfaces, said lever being moved to the limit of itsupper movement by said operator element and the force of said springmeans being sufficient to prevent pivotal movement of said lever aboutsaid pin until said lever has reached the limit of its upperlongitudinal movement.

2. A record changer assembly for use with disk records having centralopenings therethrough, comprising: a post having a record supportingshoulder and a longitudinally extending passageway therein below saidshoulder, an ejector lever located within said passageway, pivot meansincluding a pivot pin fixed to said post and extending across saidpassageway for pivotally supporting said ejector lever for pivotalmovement about said pin and for limited longitudinal movement withinsaid passageway, said ejector lever having a follower portion extendingbelow said pivot pin for all positions of said longitudinal movement, anoperator element located in said passageway and adapted for longitudinalmovement therein and having a surface engaging a surface of saidfollower portion below said pivot pin, one of said engaging surfacescomprising a camming surface for effecting pivotal movement of saidejector lever upon relative longitudinal movement of said operator withrespect to said lever, said ejector lever intermediate its ends havingan elongated slot engaged by said pivot pin, a spring disposed whollybeyond the extremities of said slot and being independent and out ofcontact with said operator, said spring being affixed to said ejectorlever and operably engaged between said lever and the internal wall ofsaid passage above said pivot for applying pivotal force for saidejector lever about said pin in the direction opposite to the pivotalforce on said lever due to the camming action resulting from therelative movement of said element and said lever toward each other, saidlever being moved to the limit of its upper movement by said operatorelement and the force of said spring being sufiicient to prevent pivotalmovement of said lever about said pin until said lever has reached thelimit of its upper longitudinal movement.

3. A record changer assembly for use with disk records having centralopenings tierethrough, comprising: a post having a record supportingshoulder and a longitudinally extending passageway therein below saidshoulder, an ejector lever located within said passageway, pivot meansincluding a pivot pin fixed to said post and extending across saidpassageway for pivotally supporting said ejector lever for pivotalmovement about said pin and for limited longitudinal movement withinsaid passageway, said ejector lever having a follower portion extendingbelow said pivot pin for all positions of said longitudinal movement, anoperator element located in said passageway and adapted for longitudinalmovement therein and having a surface engaging a surface of saidfollower portion below said pivot pin, one of said engaging surfacescomprising a camming surface for effecting pivotal movement of saidejector lever upon relative longitudinal movement of said operator withrespect to said lever, said ejector lever intermediate its ends havingan elongated slot engaged by said pivot pin, a cantilever springdisposed wholly beyond the extremities of said slot and beingindependent and out of contact with said operator, said spring havingterminals operably engaged between said lever and the internal wall ofsaid passage for applying pivotal force to said ejector lever about saidpin in the direction opposite to the pivotal force on said lever due tothe camming action resulting from the relative movement of said elementand said lever toward each other, one

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,628,843 2/53Comstock 274l 0 2,629,604 2/53 Pifer 27410 2,634,983 4/53 Dale 274-103,000,637 9/ 61 Quest 274-105 LOUIS J. CAPOZI, Primary Examiner.

STEPHEN W. CAPELLI, ALDRICH F. MEDBERY,

Examiners.

1. A RECORD CHANGER ASSEMBLY FOR USE WITH DISK RECORDS HAVING CENTRALOPENINGS THERETHROUGH, COMPRISING: A POST HAVING A RECORD SUPPORTINGSHOULDER AND A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING PASSAGEWAY THEREIN BELOW SAIDSHOULDER, AN EJECTOR LEVER LOCATED WITHIN SAID PASSAGEWAY, PIVOT MEANSINCLUDING A PIVOT PIN FIXED TO SAID POST AND EXTENDING ACROSS SAIDPASSAGEWAY FOR PIVOTALLY SUPPORTING SAID EJECTOR LEVER FOR PIVOTALMOVEMENT ABOUT SAID PIN AND FOR LIMITED LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT WITHINSAID PASSAGEWAY, SAID EJECTOR LEVER HAVING A FIRST CAM SURFACE EXTENDINGBELOW SAID PIVOT PIN, AN OPERATOR ELEMENT LOCATED IN SAID PASSAGEWAY ANDADAPTED FOR LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT THEREIN AND HAVING A SECOND CAMSURFACE ENGAGING SAID FIRST CAM SURFACE, ONE OF SAID CAM SURFACEEFFECTING PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID EJECTOR LEVER UPON RELATIVELONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT OF SAID OPERATOR WITH RESPECT TO SAID LEVER,SPRING MEANS INDEPENDENT OF AND OUT OF CONTACT WITH SAID OPERATORAFFIXED TO SAID EJECTOR LEVER AT A POINT ABOVE SAID PIVOT PIN ANDOPERABLY ENGAGING SAID LEVER AND THE INNER